Category Archives: Daily Devotional

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

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Day 242/260: Read Revelation 4

We are told at the very beginning of the book of Revelation that the language is symbolic. “And he sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John” (Revelation 1:1). It is important to remember this important fact as we read the book.

This is the great throne scene depicting God on the throne, the Almighty being worshiped by His creation. The twenty-four elders around the throne represent the twelve tribes of the old covenant and the twelve apostles of the new covenant.

The text says in verse 4 that the elders “had crowns of gold on their heads,” and in verse 10 that they “cast their crowns before the throne.” This act of casting their crowns shows humility, a recognition of the fact that any power they may claim to comes from God.

Their words of praise in verse 11 should forever be on the lips of God’s people:

“You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.”

May we never forget that God alone is worthy of our worship!

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Revelation 4:11. “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

Pray

Pray a prayer of praise for God, the Almighty Creator!

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

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Day 241/260: Read Revelation 3

What kind of letter would Jesus write to the congregation where you worship? Look at some of the things said to these first century congregations. Do any of them describe today’s church?

  • “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”
  • “You have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”
  • “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot…I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

Do any of these descriptions fit the congregation where you worship? Can you identify with the church that has a good reputation, and that’s about it? Or does the church where you worship actually keep the Word and stand for the truth? Is there apathy or zeal among the body?

Everyone has room for improvement. Are you doing your part to encourage and enhance the work of the church?

One thing is sure: Jesus knows your works. Don’t deceive yourself; take an honest inventory of your own spiritual life and the strength of the congregation, then do what needs to be done to make yourself and your brethren stronger.

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Revelation 4:11. “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

Pray

Pray for the elders, deacons, preachers, and other members in your congregation.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

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Day 240/260: Read Revelation 2

Compromise is often condemned in God’s Word. We can live together in unity and disagree in matters of opinion, but when it comes to revealed truth, there can be no compromise.

The church at Ephesus had fallen by leaving their first love. Jesus commands them to repent and return to “the first works.” Get back to doing the work of the Lord!

The church at Pergamos had some who held to doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, doctrines that Christ said He hated. They were stumbling blocks, preventing those disciples from living lives of purity.

The church at Thyatira also allowed the infiltration of false doctrine to lead some astray into sexual immorality and idolatry. They wanted to be Christians, but didn’t want to give up worldly pleasures.

What happens when we stand fast? Look no further than what Jesus told His people in Smyrna. “Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.” We are taught from the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry that faithful Christians will be persecuted (Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:18-19).

Remember, the reward in eternity will far exceed any trouble we face in this life.

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

1 John 5:4. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Pray

Pray for strength in the face of tribulation and persecution.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

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Day 239/260: Read Revelation 1

How would you describe Jesus Christ? Here are some of the words and phrases used in the first chapter of Revelation:

  • “The faithful witness”
  • “The firstborn from the dead”
  • “The ruler over the kings of the earth”
  • “The Alpha and the Omega”
  • “The Beginning and the End”
  • “Who is and who was and who is to come”
  • “The Almighty”

The integrity, authority, and eternal nature of Jesus is revealed in these descriptions. That’s not all this chapter tells us, though.

At the end of verse 5, we are told Jesus “loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” Christ said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13), and that’s exactly what He did on the cross. He allowed His blood to be shed so that our sins could be covered (1 John 1:7).

To return to the question, how would you describe Jesus Christ? He is Truth, He is the King, He is eternal, and He is the Savior!

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

1 John 5:4. For whatever is born of God ____________ the world. And this is the ____________ that has ____________ the world—our faith.

Pray

Pray that all may accept the grace of God and the authority of His Son, beginning with you.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

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Day 238/260: Read 3 John

Proverbs 16:18 teaches, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride brings with it shame (Proverbs 11:2) and strife (Proverbs 13:10) and persecutes the poor (Psalm 10:2). It is among the attitudes that God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19; 8:3); it comes from within a man’s heart and defiles him (Mark 7:21-23). Pride led to the condemnation of Satan (1 Timothy 3:6).

In today’s reading, we are introduced to Diotrephes, a proud man “who loves to have the preeminence.” He rejected the inspired apostle John, “prating against us with malicious words.” Going even further, Diotrephes punished those who did wish to show kindness to the faithful apostle and those with him.

Pride is evil. John writes, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” Diotrephes was not an example to follow.

In stark contrast to this proud man stands Gaius, a man who did “faithfully…for the brethren and for strangers,” and Demetrius, having “a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself.” What kind of example are you setting?

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

1 John 5:4. For whatever is born of ____________ overcomes the ____________. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our ____________.

Pray

Pray for forgiveness if you struggle with pride. Pray that your example may be such that others can look to you and follow to be pleasing to God.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

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Day 237/260: Read 2 John

What does the word “transgress” mean? Looking at verse 9 in different Bible versions and paraphrases is eye-opening. Here’s a brief selection:

  • “Goes on ahead” (English Standard Version).
  • “Goes too far” (New American Standard Bible).
  • “Runs ahead” (New International Version).
  • “So progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ” (The Message).

Give some thought to the way you live life, the way you serve Christ, and the way you worship God. Do you stick to His revealed will, or do you “go on ahead”? When it comes to the elements of worship, do you “go too far”? When you have a decision to make, do you pray to God or do you “run ahead”? Are you a person who is “so progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ”?

Progressiveness is harmful to the church when it rejects, ignores, or contradicts revealed truth. It can be sobering to look at how we are living life in the light of God’s Word, but it is so important to be sure we are living according to His precepts.

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

1 John 5:4. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Pray

Pray for the wisdom to live within the boundaries of God’s Word. Pray for strength to resist the temptation to “run ahead.”

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

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Day 236/260: Read 1 John 5

John writes, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

If I made a list of my favorite hymns, “Faith is the Victory,” written by John Henry Yates and Ira David Sankey, would undoubtedly appear near the top.

The last stanza of the hymn especially resonates with me:

To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n;
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in heav’n;
Then onward from the hills of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring name.

What a powerful God we serve! He gives us not only the opportunity to serve Him, but grace to pick us up when we fall short!

Do you have the type of faith in God’s power that overcomes the woes of this world?

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

1 John 5:4. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Pray

Pray for stronger faith!

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

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Day 235/260: Read 1 John 4

The Scriptures warn against false teachers in a number of passages. Here, John encourages his readers to “test the spirits.” He warns that “many false prophets have gone out into the world.” With all of the technological advances in our modern world, from radio to television to internet, it is easier than ever for false teachers to find followers.

One cannot possibly make a list of every well-known modern false teacher without excluding a few names. Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson, and the Pope would certainly be included, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. Even within the local community, preachers should be tested. Hold their sermons up to the light of God’s Word. Do they match up?

It is true that no one is perfect, and even faithful gospel preachers may misspeak occasionally. When error is exposed, the one who wishes to please God will make the appropriate corrections. When discussing possible error with a preacher, be sure to have the spirit of Aquila and Priscilla, who “took him (Apollos) aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26). Your aim should not be to embarrass the preacher, but to help him in his work for the Lord’s kingdom.

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

1 John 1:7. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Pray

Pray for your preacher, that he may be true to God’s Word. Pray for your elders, that they may always stand for the truth to be taught in the local congregation.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

Leave a comment

Day 234/260: Read 1 John 3

Have you found yourself at odds with friends and family members who are not Christians? Have they shown disdain for your doctrine? Have they mocked your motivation? Have they belittled your beliefs?

If you answered, “Yes,” that’s (probably) good! That means you are standing up for the truth and trying to lead others to the pure love of Jesus!

If you answered, “No,” then you might want to think about how you interact with others. Do you wink at their wickedness and encourage their evil ways? Do you timidly tolerate their transgressions so that they don’t even know you disagree with their actions?

This is not a license to be hateful toward those with different beliefs. Rather, it should be seen as an opportunity to tenderly educate them about God’s grace and mercy. “Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”

Since they don’t know Jesus, why don’t you introduce Him? Tell them about His love and sacrifice, about the hope He offers to all creation! Give them the opportunity to come out of the world and to become a follower of the Savior!

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

1 John 1:7. But if we _____________ in the light as He is in the light, we have _____________ with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son _____________ us from all sin.

Pray

Pray for an opportunity to teach someone in the world about Jesus’ love today and every day.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

Leave a comment

Day 233/260: Read 1 John 2

There are those who say, “I’m spiritual, but not religious.” They claim to have a love for God, but refuse to spend time learning about Him. They are not interested in what the Bible says. In doing so, they sadly and foolishly turn their backs on the One they claim to love.

Jesus is clear: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). The apostle repeats the Savior’s teaching in today’s reading.

One cannot truthfully claim to be in Jesus, to know Him or to love Him, if they reject His Word. Reading what He reveals and doing the opposite leads to destruction (Matthew 7:21-23). Many will be surprised at the Judgment, but you don’t have to be. God does not expect anything from us that He doesn’t tell us (John 12:48).

Do you love Jesus? Do you obey His commands? The answer to those two questions must match if one is to be truthful, and they must be “yes” if one is to be faithful. One cannot be spiritual without actively and faithfully living the Word of God.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

1 John 1:7. But if we walk in the _____________ as He is in the _____________, we have fellowship with one another, and the _____________ of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Pray

Pray for opportunities to obey God wherever you find yourself today: at work, at a restaurant, driving your car. Pray for the wisdom “to walk just as He walked.”